arousal
noun
arous·al
ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 
plural arousals
1
: the act of arousing someone or something
arousal from sleep
This belated arousal of the hunting instinct seemed to make almost another man of him.—
Jack London
: the state of being aroused
Jack LondonHis work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.—Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman2
: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation
Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal and an inability to reach orgasm.—Tara Parker-Pope
Tara Parker-PopeExamples of arousal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Are there certain types of music, certain people, certain parts of the dressing room, certain warm-up routines that lift their arousal?
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Because of the way our pupils change in response to brain activity, signaling states such as arousal, there's been some evidence that, when asleep, the eyes may offer similar clues reflecting neural processes.
—New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
Including innovative formulas for hydration, arousal and overall wellness.
—Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
A couple might start by touching fully clothed, then move to skin-to-skin contact over multiple sessions, always focusing on sensations rather than arousal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arousal
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Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Because of the way our pupils change in response to brain activity, signaling states such as arousal, there's been some evidence that, when asleep, the eyes may offer similar clues reflecting neural processes.
—New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
Including innovative formulas for hydration, arousal and overall wellness.
—Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
A couple might start by touching fully clothed, then move to skin-to-skin contact over multiple sessions, always focusing on sensations rather than arousal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arousal
Cite this Entry
“Arousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arousal. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
arousal
noun
arous·al
ə-ˈrau̇-zəl
1
2
: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation
Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal …—Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal
Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
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